Southwest's quarterly profit misses estimates, but airline says U.S. travel demand is stabilizing

Core Insights - Southwest Airlines reported second-quarter earnings and revenue that did not meet Wall Street expectations, indicating a challenging financial environment for the airline [1][2] - The airline announced a new $2 billion share buyback, signaling confidence in its long-term value despite current performance [1] - Southwest Airlines withdrew its 2025 guidance due to economic uncertainty in the U.S., reflecting broader industry concerns [1] Financial Performance - Earnings per share for the second quarter were reported at 43 cents adjusted, falling short of the expected 51 cents [2] - Revenue for the quarter was $7.24 billion, slightly below the anticipated $7.3 billion [2] Operational Adjustments - The airline plans to cut flights during off-peak periods, a strategy aimed at optimizing operations in response to fluctuating demand [1]